1980 Alumacraft Model FD Specs???

[terp4life]

recently bought a used 1980 alumacraft FD, and wanted to know if anyone might have specs (i.e. exact dimensions, capacities, etc.) on it. haven't been able to find any online...

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 1980 Alumacraft Model FD Specs???

Congratulations terp4life on your boat purchase. I think it is one of the best built small 14 ft semi-vee utility boats made. I have a 1968 and bought it new when I was 18. My uncle has a 1956 he bought new and has a 35 hp motor on it, so they made them for a long time. Your 1980 should be the same. It's a very solid boat with the transom splash tray.<br /><br />This is what my 1968 boat tag reads.<br />___________________________________________________<br />Aluma Craft Boat Division<br />Alpex Corporation<br />Minneapolis, Minnesota U.S.A.<br /><br />Model FD<br /><br />Capacity<br />This boat is built to accommodate under normal conditions an outboard motor of not more than<br />40 certified horsepower and<br />4 persons at 150 LBS. per person<br />or a properly located max. weight of<br />865 LBS. for persons, motor and gear<br />This boat provides flotation as recommended by the<br />Outboard Boating Club of America<br />___________________________________________________<br /><br />The boat measures 4' 5" at beam, 4' at transom and has a 15" deep transom.<br /><br />My boat has been used for commercial fishing to water skiing and everything in between on the upper Mississippi river. The boat only weight I think is less than what I weigh 175 lbs. and can be slid on top of the ice to open water. What I like most about it is the smooth ride because it is narrow and has a round (soft) chine. I run three motors on it, switching between a 40 hp to 25 hp or 4 hp or I have both the 25 and 4 on it. The boat has a stock set up, no hydrofoil, fin or trim tabs. The 40 is for summer, it makes the river seem smaller. In the fall and spring I don't travel much then, too cold! We still have a lot of ice here on the river.<br /><br />Your 1980 FD is probably rated for 25 hp. They rated the boats more conservatively later on, as it should be, you have to know your limitations with 40 hp. If you do not have a motor for it I would recommend 25 hp. It will amaze you what the boat will do, turning around in tight spots, cornering, going into waves and wakes, back trolling, etc. My brother-in-law has a new T14V Alumacraft, it's a real nice boat about the same size but it just isn't the FD. Take care and enjoy the boat.<br /><br />Here is two pictures of my boat. F is for series. D is for deep.<br /><br />

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[terp4life]

Re: 1980 Alumacraft Model FD Specs???

Thanks for the reply River! Couldn't have asked for a better response...<br /><br />Your boat's a beauty. I was lucky enough to find mine online, and after hearing all the good things about Alumacraft and their boats (which you confirmed), I decided to jump on it. I'm running a 9.9 hp motor on mine, but haven't quite had the chance to take it out on the water yet. Think it should be a good fit, especially since a lot of lakes in my area have a 10 hp limit on them. Hope it's enough to get me from a to b without any problem.<br /><br />One more question... You wouldn't happen to know an easy/quick way to get the sticker off the side of the boat, would you? The Alumacraft sticker on side of my boat is old, cracking, and fading, and runs all along the hull on both sides. I'd like to be able to remove the whole thing to make it look a little nicer...<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 1980 Alumacraft Model FD Specs???

terp4life - sorry for the delayed replies, I do not get on this computer day to day and sometimes it's a long time when the fishing picks up.<br /><br />Your 9.9 hp motor running the boat will work real good. My first outboard I bought is a 1967 Johnson 9 1/2 and on the boat it would really scoot. My 4hp motor will almost get the loaded boat up on plane but not quite, a 6 hp would do it, when on plane it takes off. I got the 25 hp and the boat is capable of slalom one ski water skiing and you have to have two people in the boat to be legal. With my 40 hp on it's a muscle boat. You are sure going to have fun with yours.<br /><br />As for removing your graphics I don't know, I've never done it and would expect it to be a project. I know what they are. I believe there the big red, white and blue decal. A lot of people here ask that question. Using the search function you find all types of answers but how they work depends on a lot of variables. The boat has a satin finish. Don't really know - anodized?. If you rub on one area to long you will remove the finish, so when you do get it off you may want to do a hull paint job to match the original finish.<br /><br />Remember you don't have to fuss to much about it because that's another good thing about boats like these, they weren't built to be fancy, so you can do what you want. Ageing, wear and tear, etc. just adds to it's character. A person could also go all out on it and go to a auto decal business or at the Minnesota State Fair I saw a business where a air brush artist did outdoor scenes on the sides of all types of boats, he could do what ever you wanted, even paint the original graphics.

 

[andyrmilwaukee]

Re: 1980 Alumacraft Model FD Specs???

oh Shikies!!! I just had a bad relization I agreed to buy a FD and the guy said he had replaced the transom wood. If he did it with treated wood how worried do I have to be about the aluminum and if I remove it and clean it can i stop any problems that may be starting?